SEE THE PHOTOS: New center and John's donation to fight Parkinson's
With the goal of finding treatments that can slow or stop Parkinson's disease, the new research center PACE was officially inaugurated Wednesday in the Main Hall at Aarhus University.
About PACE
- The Lundbeck Foundation Parkinson's Disease Research Center received a ten-year grant of 313 million Danish kroner.
- The center focuses on Lewy body diseases, of which Parkinson's disease is the most common, and aims to pave the way for new treatments through interdisciplinary research and international collaboration.
- PACE will be established at Incuba, close to the specialized research facilities at Aarhus University Hospital.
- The center is expected to employ approximately 70 staff members.
- With Parkinson's disease as the fastest-growing neurological disease globally, PACE is considered an important step towards better treatment options for millions of patients worldwide.
Sunlight streamed through the windows in the main hall at Aarhus University, where researchers, patients, relatives and collaborators had gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the Lundbeck Foundation Parkinson's Disease Research Center (PACE).
The center, which has received a historic grant of 313 million Danish kroner from the Lundbeck Foundation, will research and develop treatments for Parkinson's disease and other so-called Lewy body diseases in the coming years.
"Today is both a really good day and a big day," began Dean of Health Anne-Mette Hvas in her speech in the main hall, where she emphasized the new center's significance for the approximately 12,000 Danes living with Parkinson's disease.
"Parkinson's is a silent thief that slowly steals movement, speech and independence – and ultimately identity. It affects not only the body, but also personality. It doesn't just affect the individual, but entire families," said the dean.
Bringing all research disciplines under one roof
The center's ambitious goal is to find treatments that can slow or stop the disease's progression.
Under the leadership of clinical professor Per Borghammer from the Department of Clinical Medicine, PACE will bring together researchers from around the world in everything from basic research, neurology and epidemiology.
Per Borghammer explained how basic researchers studying molecules and cells will work side by side with clinical researchers and patient groups, while epidemiologists will also become part of the unique collaboration that will accelerate the development of new treatments.
Collaboration as key to success
Director at Aarhus University Hospital Thomas Balle Kristensen highlighted in his speech the strong foundation that PACE builds upon.
He pointed out that brain-related diseases cost Danish society around 200 billion kroner annually and affect thousands of patients and relatives.
"We have a very strong environment, an environment that has already resulted in significant progress over many months. The large grant makes it possible to set big goals, and it is our great hope and expectation that we will create new treatments for patients," said Thomas Balle Kristensen and thanked the Lundbeck Foundation and the many collaboration partners.
Researchers, doctors, patients and relatives had all gathered to mark the inauguration of PACE.
Director of the Lundbeck Foundation Lene Skole and chairperson of the Parkinson's Association Astrid Blom were also among the speakers.
In the front row sat 87-year-old John Rasmussen, who has donated one million kroner to Parkinson's research after his wife of 64 years died from the disease last year.
With the donation, John Rasmussen and Per Borghammer have agreed to establish a scholarship that will support young promising Parkinson's researchers.
After the official speeches, the celebration moved to the Walking Hall and out into the beautiful September weather.
